BCA is submitting its application to become an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit. We are looking to our supporters to help us raise $850 for the application fee. Please consider making a donation. Whether $10, $25, or more, donations from our supporters is critical to support BCA and its efforts to make Anchorage bicycle-friendly. Click here for information on how to support BCA.

I played in traffic this weekend. I rode my bike in some of the busiest intersections in the state of Alaska, such as Minnesota and Benson, Northern Lights and Spenard, Tudor and C St. I wasn’t in the crosswalk, I was in the lane, lined up with cars and trucks and all the other traffic. Oh, and it was raining really hard.

It was fun. It was liberating.

Let me back up. By now you are probably thinking I’ve finally gone off the deep end.

Preston Tyree, Director of Education for the League of American Bicyclists, was in Anchorage certifying Bike Education instructors. One of the requirements is that candidates demonstrate full knowledge of traffic laws and the ability to safely merge with traffic, even at busy intersections. And you know what? Once you learn how simple it is, and how to do it right, it’s easy. It’s liberating. I now understand that I don’t need to be intimidated by busy intersections or fast moving traffic. I now understand that I don’t need to stay confined to the crosswalk when crossing at Benson and A Street, where I was hit several years ago.

I have often heard cyclists complain about Anchorage drivers. I’ve heard stories of cyclists getting things thrown at them, and getting yelled at. But this weekend, drivers were polite. One said he was an avid cyclist and wanted to know how to get in the class. Another offered us a ride.
Several pulled up and politely asked what we were doing, and one complimented us on how nice we looked. We did not get honked at once.

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Over the weekend, two BCA board members, Kristi Wood and Brian Litmans, participated in the League of American Bicyclists educational training program to become certified League Cycling Instructors (LCIs). So what is an LCI and what does this mean for Anchorage?

LCIs are experts in bicycle education and safety. As LCIs, Kristi and Brian can now offer courses within the League’s Smart Cycling curriculum. These classes can be suited to meet the needs of any cyclist. LCIs are certified, insured and equipped to teach anything from basic skills to college level courses. League courses offered include: Traffic Skills 101 and 201, Confident Commuting, Bicycling Skills for Youth and Adults, Safe Routes to Schools and Share the Road. LCI’s can also offer modified versions of these courses and design bike clinics as well as provide general safety consulting.

The class, organized by BCA’s Kristi Wood, included 12 students in total, 7 of whom are from Anchorage. 2 students were from Cordova, while the remaining 3 students were from Juneau. Currently, there are only 3 LCI instructors in the entire state, 1 in Cordova and 2 in Stika.

Through this class, BCA has been able to significantly enhance the number of LCIs across the state from 3 to now 15. The class was taught by Preston Tyree, Director of Education for the League and Linda Crider, an LCI from Cordova.

We look forward to offering this level of education to the Anchorage community. You can learn more about the classes offered here.   If you are interested in a class contact us at info@bicycleanchorage.org

Come hear Preston Tyree, Director of Education for the League of American Bicyclists, speak on ‘Complete Streets’ and how they increase transportation choices at The Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center (625 C St.) on Tuesday, August 31, at 7 pm in the museum auditorium.

In communities across the country, a movement is growing to “complete the streets.” States, cities and towns are asking their planners and engineers to build road networks that are safer, more livable, and welcoming to everyone. Instituting a complete streets policy ensures that transportation planners and engineers consistently design and operate the entire roadway with all users in mind – including bicyclists, public transportation vehicles and riders, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. Preston Tyree will speak on how this approach to street design can improve transportation choices, safety, and economic development.

This event is co-sponsored by Alaska Transportation Priorities Project, Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage, Anchorage Citizens Coalition, Alaska Center for the Environment, and the Spenard Complete Streets Coalition.

We’ve got three Energizer Stations for bicycle commuters this Friday! Come enjoy a variety of fresh baked goods and fresh coffee along the bike trail! Maybe you can take a route that will take you to all three stations, so that you can sample the fare at all of them!

BCA Bacon Station Location

(Sorry, no bacon, I just can’t resist calling it the Bacon Station Location), where the Chester Creek bike trail travels under the Seward Highway from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM. We’ll have Raven’s Brew coffee and goodies from Great Harvest.

Chain Reaction Cycles

At the corner of Elmore and Abbott from 6:30 AM – 8:00 AM with Kaladi Brothers Coffee and home baked treats.

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium

At the intersection of Tudor and Elmore (Bragaw) at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Building from 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM.

It was a rainy Renewable Energy Alaska Project Fair on Saturday, but 161 of you still came downtown via bike! A big Thanks to our volunteers Matt, Brad, and Karen for helping with our Free And Secure Bike Parking! It just goes to show…in Alaska when the weather changes we don’t change our plans, we just change our clothes!

This notice came from muni traffic department.

“Please note that tomorrow’s (August 5) Title 9 Rewrite meeting for sections 9.20 and 9.38 has been CANCELLED due to scheduling conflicts with several key attendees.  We will try to reschedule for a later date.”

Thank you,

Municipal Traffic Department

ADVOCACY
The BCA has received numerous responses to the Title 9 notification we sent out last week. Thank you for your support and commitment to bicycle safety! A big Thanks to the people who contacted the Public Safety Committee and the Assembly to share your feelings on this important subject! The muni Traffic Department requested BCA notify folks Thursday’s Title 9 meeting (August 5th from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM at the Municipal Planning and Development Center in the first floor conference room #30, 4700 Elmore Rd), is not an opportunity for public testimony. It is rather a work session and an opportunity for the Traffic Department to explain their position on the subject. Bearing that in mind, if you are a cyclist interested in becoming, or are already well versed, in Traffic law, and understand the practicalities and challenges facing Anchorage’s cyclists, BCA would like you to attend this meeting. We’ll be sure to send an update after the meeting to notify you all of the results of the meeting.

A reminder of the wording BCA is objecting to in Title 9.38.060

“Persons operating a bicycle upon a sidewalk, recreational trail or bike trail must yield the right-of-way to traffic before crossing a roadway, street, or driveway.”

and section 9.38.020

“A person propelling a vehicle by human power upon and along a sidewalk, trail or pathway, (or across) except when crossing a roadway or driveway intersecting a sidewalk, trail or pathway, shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances.”

This is placing the burden of responsibility on the must vulnerable users, children riding their bicycles on the sidewalk.

ENCOURAGEMENT
This Saturday from 11AM – 9PM is the Renewable Energy Alaska Project Fair on the Memorial Block of the Downtown Parkstrip. We’ll have our Free And Secure Bike Parking available, so you can leave the car at home, get some exercise and fresh air, and enjoy a front row parking spot at the Fair. We’re looking for volunteers to help park bikes, so if you have a spare couple of hours on Saturday to lend a hand, please email bikemoredriveless@hotmail.com.

Our city is considering changing a law – Title 9 of the Anchorage Municipal Code – to make cyclists liable for accidents if they are hit while crossing a roadway. No other place in the country gives the right of way to a motorist over a bicyclist. Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage (BCA) is teaming up with citizens to make sure Anchorage, Alaska, will not become the first.

Here is what you can do to help:
1. Tuesday, July 27th, 8pm attend the Anchorage Assembly meeting to support BCA when we speak out against this potential change.
2. Contact Public Safety committee members, and let them know the proposed change is a bad idea.
• Paul Honeman, chair, HonemanPS@muni.org, 947-0500
• Chris Birch, chrisbirch@gci.net, 346-3265
• Mike Gutierrez , gutierrezm@muni.org, 382-5972
3. Join us from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm on Thursday, August 5, for an important meeting of the city Traffic Department at the Municipal Planning and Development Center (First Floor Conference Room Number 30 at 4700 Elmore Road).

Title 9 of Anchorage’s Municipal code handles traffic law, including the rights and duties of cyclists. Since last Spring when Title 9 rewrites were proposed, BCA has strongly objected to changes in the law which hinder public safety protections for bicyclists.

Giving cars the right of way is unintuitive. Most people instinctively give the right of way to the most vulnerable. Bicyclists give the right of way to pedestrians and cars give the right of way to cyclists and pedestrians. Does the city really want to make a child riding their bike on a sidewalk liable if that child were to be hit by a car while crossing a driveway? The proposed law defies common sense.

The evidence is on our side.
1. According to the Anchorage Bicycle Plan, crash statistics for bicycle versus car accidents in Anchorage went down by 40% since 2004 when Title 9 was originally changed to ensure cyclists have the right of way when crossing a street.
2. BCA researched traffic law in all 50 states, and did not find any other communities give the right of way to the motorist over the cyclist. In most communities, the right of way is granted to the cyclist, for the obvious reason that cyclists can be put at risk when crossing the street.

This change is dangerous because of the increased number of bicyclists.
1. Bicycle ridership, according to Anchorage 2010 Bike to Work Day observational counts, nearly doubled since 2007.
2. Anchorage has more bicycle shops, bicycle rental businesses, and more money being spent on bicycles and bicycling gear than ever before.

This change is dangerous to children
1. Children ride their bikes 40% more than adults
2. Bicycle crashes are the leading cause of hospitalization and fatalities of children
3. Children ride their bikes on sidewalks. This new law puts the burden of responsibility on children whether they are riding or walking their bicycle across a driveway or intersection.
4. Many motorists are driving while talking or texting, this distraction can lead to a motorist hitting a cyclist and still it will be the bicyclist’s fault.

BCA recommends
1. Maintain the same language as 2004, as the rewrite reduced crashes.
2. Start a campaign to educate motorists to stop at red lights and not roll through stop signs.

What BCA is already doing
1. BCA holds education clinics nearly every two months, educating bicyclists on following the rules of the road and bicycle safety.
2. BCA designed a bicycle safety curriculum and taught the week long bicycle safety to 60 youth, age 8-14 this summer through Camp Fire USA.
3. BCA is hosting a three day bicycle certification clinic to teach instructors how to teach bicycle safety.

Please join us in our efforts to keep Anchorage’s cyclists safe! If you have any specific questions about the Title 9 re-write, please contact Kristi Wood at bikemoredriveless@hotmail.com

There will be 4 Free Coffee And Treats stations for bike commuters this Friday morning, July 30th! Stop by for fresh coffee and other delicious goodies to fuel your ride. We can always use an extra set of hands, so if you are available to volunteer please email Kristi at bikemoredriveless@hotmail.com.

BCA will be at the Bacon Station (sorry, no fresh bacon this time), where the Chester Creek bike trail travels under the Seward Highway from 7a to 9a, and

Campbell Creek trail hike and bike section next to the Seward Highway from 7a – 9a.

Chain Reaction will also host a Free Coffee And Treats station, on the corner of Elmore and Abbott from 6:30 to 8:00, and

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium /Southcentral Foundation will serve coffee and yogurt parfaits at Tudor and Elmore from 7 – 8:30.

If the rain has thwarted your bicycle commuting, prepare for Friday; bring an extra set of dry clothes and a towel, or realize the more clothes you wear, the wetter you will become. Consider sin clothes and a poncho.

Please join us Friday morning and enjoy some fresh treats on your way to work or around town!